At A Glance

The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc.

(formerly Assisi Foundation)
515 Erin Dr.
Memphis, TN 38117-4211
Telephone: (901) 684-1564
Contact: Jan Young, Exec. Dir.
Fax: (901) 684-1997
E-mail: jyoung@assisifoundat...
URL: www.assisifoundation.org

Type of Grantmaker

Independent foundation

IRS Exemption Status

501(c)(3)

Additional Descriptor

Health conversion foundation====Financial Data====
(yr. ended 12/31/09)
Assets: $189,505,764
Total giving: $8,130,043

EIN

621558722

990-PF

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 20032002 2001
The IRS has announced processing errors on electronically filed Forms 990 for filing years 2007-2009. Learn MoreĀ»



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Established in 1994 in TN; converted from the sale of St. Francis Hospital.
Since its formation in Mar. 1994, The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc. has awarded over eighty million dollars to nonprofit organizations serving people located primarily in Memphis, Tennessee, and in the Mid South region surrounding Memphis. The foundation focuses on Healthcare and Human Services, Education and Literacy, Social Justice/Ethics, Cultural Enrichment and the Arts. The foundation continues to contribute valuable support to healthcare research such as cell therapy, well-baby care, HIV and AIDS, cancer research, and other initiatives. In addition, an important focus of the foundation is to promote science education in colleges and high schools. Many community not-for-profit institutions have received generous grants from the foundation to look for more answers to catastrophic illnesses and to bring basic healthcare to those who are economically challenged. The foundation has been instrumental in helping these community organizations find and apply for other sources of grant funds. It has also launched several initiatives ranging from literacy to collaborative efforts among organizations in
Order to address critical community needs.

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Giving primarily in the Greater Memphis area of Shelby, Fayette and Tipton Counties, TN; Crittenden County, AR and Desoto County, MS.
No grants to individuals, fundraising, tickets for benefits, lobbying, budget deficits, or for tournament fees and/or travel for athletic competitions, scholarships or for replacement of government funding cuts.

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The foundation supports health, lifelong learning, social justice and responsible use of resources with respect and compassion for all.

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The grantmaker has identified the following area(s) of interest:
Cultural Enrichment and the Arts
The foundation seeks to foster appreciation of Memphis culture through support of some of the city's cultural repositories. It awards grants to support music, art, dance, the environment, and diversity. It realizes that culture is a living thing, a human creation that requires continual attention and sustenance. Applications will be accepted for projects/programs that foster an appreciation of the arts in the Greater Memphis community.
Education and Literacy
The foundation emphasizes the importance of building mathematics and science skills. These skills have substantial beneficial effects in forming careers and improving the Memphis workforce. The foundation spearheads action to address these issues in the Mid South through funding a number of reading and education initiatives that develop vital tools for life as well as focus on the awareness and importance of accepting social responsibilities. Applications will be accepted for projects/programs that build organizational capacity of provider agencies, provide professional development to service providers, promote collaboration among provider agencies, and leverage local, state, and federal resources.
Health and Human Services
The foundation supports biomedical research projects in the hope of finding breakthroughs in disease processes. It helps provide for direct healthcare services administered for unique patient groups. In so doing, it gives demonstrable signs of hope to those who live with AIDS, congenital heart disease, Alzheimer's, cerebral palsy, head injuries, low vision, and other chronic conditions. Applications will be accepted for healthcare and human services projects/programs designed to promote the health and well-being of the Mid-South community and to help the healthcare system respond more effectively to community needs.
Social Justice/Ethics
The foundation believes that social justice helps establish the ground for a healthy and educated community. With the belief that each person has value and dignity, the foundation seeks to support organizations that help individuals strive to reach their fullest human potential and promotes a commitment to basic fairness and a life of dignity for the poorest of the poor. The foundation supports programs for child advocacy, homeless persons, after school services and community feeding, among others. It also supports local sponsored symposia that are dedicated to exploring, discussing, and responding to ethical issues. The goal is to meet pressing problems while also searching for ways to address root causes and community-wide transformation. Applications will be accepted for projects/programs that strengthen ethical values among Mid-South citizens and promote social justice leading to a better understanding of and a more effective response to economic or social threats to the community.

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Subjects
Community/economic development

Education

Health care

Human services

Social sciences, equal rights

Social sciences, ethics

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Arkansas

Mississippi

Tennessee

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Capital campaigns

Conferences/seminars

Consulting services

Curriculum development

Emergency funds

Endowments

Equipment

General/operating support

Management development/capacity building

Matching/challenge support

Program development

Program evaluation

Publication

Research

Technical assistance

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Application guidelines

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See foundation's web site for additional information. Application form required. Copies of proposal: 8

Board meeting date(s): 4th Thurs. of Jan., Apr., July, and Oct.

Deadline(s): Feb. 17, May 19, Aug. 18 and Nov. 17

Final notification: First week of May, Aug., Nov. and Feb.


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Note: An asterisk (*) following an individual's name indicates an officer who is also a trustee or director.
Forrest N. Jenkins,* Chairperson

Affiliation(s):

Mid South Community College Foundation, Chairperson

Lee J. Chase, III,* Vice-Chairperson

Affiliation(s):

Glankler Brown, PLLC, Attorney

Primacy Corp., Secretary

Martin F. Thompson,* Secretary
Gary Joffe, Chief Financial Officer
Charles D. Schaffler,* Treasurer
Dr. Jan Young, Executive Director
Susan Mack Aguillard, M.D.
Franklin P. "Pepper" Allen
Eugene J. Bastedo
Jack A. Belz

Affiliation(s):

Belz Foundation, President and Director

Peabody Place Museum Foundation, President and Director

Ronald Belz
Alison Garrott Braswell
Thomas K. Corona

Affiliation(s):

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Treasurer

Fred L. Davis
Thomas C. Farnsworth, III
William E. Frulla

Affiliation(s):

Thorp, Fones & Frulla, PLC, Attorney

James Gattas
Art Gilliam
Ethele Hilliard
Deborah O. Schadt
C. Thomas Whitman
Russel L. Wiener, D.D.S.

Affiliation(s):

Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Trustee

Philip R. Zanone, Jr.
William L. Zoccola

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Number of Staff
4 full-time professional

1 part-time professional

1 full-time support

1 part-time support

Key Staff

Note: Does not include officers.
Nardine Aquadro, Program Officer
Karen Kitchens, Program Officer
Ernestine Berry Smith, Program Officer
Neus Sikes, Ops. Manager


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Regional Associations of Grantmakers
Southeastern Council of Foundations
Affinity Groups
Association of Small Foundations

FADICA

Grantmakers In Health

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations

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Year ended 12/31/09:
Assets: $189,505,764 (market value)

Expenditures: $9,889,461

Total giving: $8,130,043

Qualifying distributions: $8,878,122

Giving activities include:

$7,980,043 for 71 grants (high: $1,000,000; average: $200,000)

$150,000 for 1 loan/program-related investment


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County: Shelby

Metropolitan area: Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Congressional district: Tennessee District 9


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The following grants were reported in 2008:
$1,000,000 to Le Bonheur Childrens Medical Center Foundation, Memphis, TN. For new and expanded facilities for LeBonheur Childrens Medical Center, payable over 1 year.
$500,000 to American Cancer Society, Memphis, TN. For Memphis Hope Lodge, payable over 1 year.
$500,000 to Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation, Memphis, TN. For Trinity Hospice House, payable over 1 year.
$400,000 to Saint Marys Episcopal School, Memphis, TN. For Campaign for Life, payable over 1 year.
$250,000 to Circuit Playhouse, Memphis, TN. For capital campaign, payable over 1 year.
$250,000 to Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN. For Project Magnify, payable over 1 year.
$200,000 to South Memphis Alliance, Memphis, TN. For Resource Center, payable over 1 year.
$150,000 to Urban Child Institute, Memphis, TN. For ADD/ADHD Initiative, payable over 1 year.
$100,000 to Levitt Pavilion-Memphis, Friends of the, Memphis, TN. For renovation campaign, payable over 1 year.
$100,000 to Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, Germantown, TN. For community building, payable over 1 year.